Sutera plant named &#39;sutcatrwhi&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Sutera plant particularly distinguished by its white flowers, earliness to flower, thick stems, heat tolerance and a growing habit that is spreading and trailing.

Latin Name of the Genus and Species of the Plant Claimed

Sutera diffusa

Varietal Denomination

‘Sutcatrwhi’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new distinct cultivar of Sutera,botanically known as Sutera diffusa.

The new cultivar is propagated from cuttings resulting from the cross of‘B22’ and ‘B24’. ‘B22’ is a white flowering Sutera having a spreading,trailing habit. ‘B22’ is not commercially available and is not known byany synonyms. ‘B24’ is a white flowering Sutera having a compact habit.‘B24’ is not commercially available and is not known by any synonyms.Neither ‘B22’ or ‘B24’ has been patented.

As a result of this cross the present cultivar was created in 2000 inEnkhuizen, Netherlands and has been repeatedly asexually reproduced bycuttings in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and Sarrians, France over a threeyear period. It has been found to retain its distinctive characteristicsthrough successive propagations, and this novelty appears to be firmlyfixed.

This new Sutera plant is an annual in most climatical zones in the US,only in zones 9 and 10 it is a perennial plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It was found that the cultivar of the present invention:

a) Exhibits white flowers;

b) has thick stems;

c) exhibits a spreading and trailing growth habit; and

d) is very resistant to hot conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new Sutera plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographicdrawing which shows blooms, buds and foliage of the plant in full color,the color shown being as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of this new Sutera. The data that define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inEnkhuizen, Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 15 weeks oldplants, blossomed under natural light in a greenhouse and grown in 11 cmcontainers. Colour readings were taken in the greenhouse under ambientlight. Colour references are primarily to the RHS Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London. TABLE 1 Differences between thenew cultivar ‘Sutcatrwhi’, its parents and a similar cultivar‘Sutcatrwhi’ ‘B22’ ‘B24’ ‘Bridal Showers’ Flower color N155A 155C 155B155C Stem thickness Thick Medium Thick Thin Plant habit TrailingTrailing Compact Trailing Flower size Medium Big Small Small‘Bridal Showers’ is not patented.

The Plant

-   Classification — Botanical: Sutera diffusa-   Parentage — Female parent: A seedling named ‘B22’ is one of our    seedlings from our B-generation of plants bred in 1999. — Pollen    parent : A seedling named ‘B24’ is one of our seedings from our    B-generation of plants bred in 1999.-   Growth habit: Spreading and trailing, decumbent.-   Plant height: 14-18 cm.-   Spreadingarea of plant 40-58 cm.-   Growth rate: Rapid growing.-   Strength: Good.-   Branching habit: Short internodes and on each knot more than two    apprearing shoots give a plant that is more branched than normal.-   Blooming period: From May until November.

The Stem

-   Diameter: 2-3 mm.-   Shape: Cylindrical.-   Anthocyanin pigmentation: Absent.-   Color of the stem: 137B.-   Length of internode: 14-28 mm, depending on the light where the    plant is propagated.-   Pubescence: Sparse.

The Foliage

-   Phyllotaxis: Opposite, decussate.-   Shape of blade: Broadly ovate.-   Shape of the blade apex: Acute.-   Shape of the blade base: Truncate.-   Leaf margin: Dentate.-   Venation: Pinnate.-   Texture — Upper surface: Smooth, glabrous — Lower surface: Slightly    pubescent.-   Length: 14-20 mm.-   Width: 14-24 mm.-   Thickness: 1-2 mm.-   Depth of incision: Less than 1 mm.-   Color — Upper side N138B — Lower side: 137C.-   Length ofpetiole 1-2 mm.-   Diameter of petiole 1 mm.-   Color of petiole: 137B.-   Fragrance: Musk.

The Bud

-   Pedicel length: 8-11 mm, depending on season.-   Pedicel diameter: 1 mm.-   Pedicel color 137D.-   Pedicel angle: About 60 degrees from the stem.-   Bud size — Diameter: 1 mm — Length: 4-8 mm.-   Bud shape: Obovate.-   Bud color: 155A.-   Sepals — Color: 137D — Number: 5 — Shape: Erect calyx — Size: 3mm.-   Shape of sepals: Gamopetalous, grown together at the base of the    sepal.

The Flower

-   Flower diameter: 15-18 mm.-   Flower tube length: 5-8 mm.-   Throat diameter, distal end: 2-4 mm.-   Tube diameter, proximal end: 1.5-2.5 mm.-   Form: Salverform.-   Symmetry: Radial symmetric.-   Type: Solitary, axillary.-   Color — Upper surface: Between N155A — Lower surface: N155A.-   Corolla tube: Cylindrical.-   Corolla tube color: 8C.-   Overlapping of petals: Separate.-   No. of petals: 5.-   Shape of the petals: Gamopetalous, grown together at the base of the    petal, forming a corolla.-   Petal lobe — Length: 4-6 mm — Width: 2-4 mm — Shape: Spatulate —    Apex: Rounded — Margin: Entire — Texture: Smooth.-   Calyx — Length: 6-8 mm — Diameter 3 mm — Shape: Narrow, linear —    Apex: Acute — Margin: Entire.-   Texture of the calyx — Upper surface: Pubescent — Lower surface:    Pubescent.-   Color of the calyx — Upper surface: 137B — Lower surface: 137C.-   Anthocyanin pigmentation of calyx limb: Absent.-   Flower fragrance: No fragrance detected.-   Lastingness of one flower: Flowers stay open 6-8 days.

Reproductive Organs

-   Number of reproductive organs: 1 pistil, 4 stamens.-   Pollen production: Very low.-   Stigma color: 138D.-   Stamen color: 13B.-   Stamen arrangement: Didynamous.-   Stamen type: Basifixed.-   Dehiscence of stamens: Extrorse.-   Ovary position: Ovary superior, flower hypogynous.-   Style shape: Style terete.-   Style length: 9 mm.-   Pistil length: 12 mm.

Seeds

-   No seedset is observed.

Roots

-   Type of roots: Fibrous, fine, color 155A.

Physiological and Ecological Characteristics

-   Extreme tolerance to heat is observed.

Propagation

-   Propagation is done by axillary cuttings. Tips of stems are used,    which take 6 days to initiate roots and 12 days to develop roots.

1. A new and distinct variety of Sutera plant named ‘Sutcatrwhi’,substantially as illustrated and described herein.